First carry gun for female friend? Lets hear it?
These are the parameters.
revolver.357 magstainless steel
Barrel length?
OK here are some other facts I should have mentioned.
SS because we live in Southeast Alaska and it will be exposed to salt water on a regular basis. (salt water destroys Aluminum and titanium frames)
.357 because if she wants to carry .357 in it she can but can practice with .38 or carry them.
3 inch barrel min
Yes I know this sound like a heavy gun but she will not buy two she wants one "all around gun" something she can carry in town or in the bush. I know .357 is light for bears but something is better than nothing. .357 will stop a black bear which are most common in the area around town and brown bears well she carries a 12 gagu for that.
Even in town you need something that can stop a bear the most common reason for a officer or civilian to discharge a sidearm in town in SE AK is to stop a bear in the trash or trying to get into the house.
She has had bears 10 different times in her yard this summer...she lives in town.
revolver.357 magstainless steel
Barrel length?
OK here are some other facts I should have mentioned.
SS because we live in Southeast Alaska and it will be exposed to salt water on a regular basis. (salt water destroys Aluminum and titanium frames)
.357 because if she wants to carry .357 in it she can but can practice with .38 or carry them.
3 inch barrel min
Yes I know this sound like a heavy gun but she will not buy two she wants one "all around gun" something she can carry in town or in the bush. I know .357 is light for bears but something is better than nothing. .357 will stop a black bear which are most common in the area around town and brown bears well she carries a 12 gagu for that.
Even in town you need something that can stop a bear the most common reason for a officer or civilian to discharge a sidearm in town in SE AK is to stop a bear in the trash or trying to get into the house.
She has had bears 10 different times in her yard this summer...she lives in town.
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My first choice would be a S&W like a model 66 (A K frame) or possibly a J frame model if her hands are smaller. The Ruger SP101 is a good solid gun for the money it is closer to a S&W J frame size. I would and have put Wolff springs into the SP101 to make the trigger 1000% better. 0 -
The advantages of a 357 over a 38 in a small package are over rated. If it has to be stainless get her a 38 caliber S&W model 60, otherwise an Airweight. 0 -
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You have never shot a short barreled, full-house .357 Magnum - right ??
Model 60.
Doug0 -
Henry hit the nail on the head, there is little or nothing to be gained by using a 357 over a 38 special in a 2" carry gun. If you don't reload, Speer makes a good round for 2" 38s, the recoil is lighter, thus less intimadating. A J frame Smith, or a 85 Taurus depending on how much she wants to spend would be my choice.
For what it's worth.
W.D.0 -
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Nice LadySmith.. Same as a Model 65 in which I carry. Advantage .38's can be shot in a .357. My wife has a Model 66 with a 3" barrel and the standard small grips next to the bed loaded with +P .38's. 357's are too much recoil for her. Now I beg to differ the .38+P's are as effective as a 125 gr. 357. Here is a ballistic evidence.
http://www.hipowersandhandguns.com/38vs357snub.htm0 -
First choice: S&W model 36 (pre-lock)
Second choice S&W model 60 (pre-lock) either lady smith or chief's
Third choice: Ruger SP101
Fourth choice: new versions of the S&W m 36 or 60 with the lock
Agreed that there is no useful or appreciable difference in .357 and .38 special out of a 2" barrel0 -
To compare a .38+p to a .357 mag. is really funny. Shoot something with the two rounds. You can visually see the difference in penetration. Day and night. Most women I know carry their gun in the purse... 0 -
Taurus Titanium 85, 2" ported barrel and weighs 14 oz. Got one for my wife- good trade[;)]- she didn't like the weight of the others and the recoil isn't all that bad as the porting is VERY effective.
Lance0 -
SS is going to make it heavy for everyday carry. And 357s are too much recoil in a small gun. Get her a ported Titanium Taurus 38. 0 -
S&W M-66, hard to beat a true winner.
Ruger SP-101, great balance and feel, very strong.
Taurus M-66, great copy, works well
Or she could try one of these:
S&W 327
http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=821737140 -
Ruger SP101 .357 Mag with 2 1/2 inch barrel, there extremely tough as in should last a lifetime. There also comfortable to shoot and very accurate out to 25 ft or so. 0 -
My wife carries a S&W m37 (airweight). It resides in her purse.
We live in So. FL, 3 miles from the Atlantic and I've never had a problem w/salWar on Terrorer corrosion & firearms. Except of course for the boat gun...it is stainless.
Most women I know who carry prefer a revolver, .38sp in a lightweight, J type frame. My choice is a Smith.
EDIT: The auto sensor seems to have a problem with s a l t w a t e r and what the heck is "on Terrorer" anyway????[:(!]0 -
You didn't say whether it was for concealed carry or open carry. If it's open carry, a medium frame .357 would be great (686 or GP-100).
The auto sensor doesn't like the last letter of salt put together with the first three letters of water. It makes a naughty word.0 -
Another vote for the Ruger SP-101, with the 3 1/16" barrel,.........remember he specified 3" MINIMUM!
Either that or a GP-100 in 4",........quite a bit bigger though.
Get the .357 whether you use it or not, as it only works one way.
I have both of the above, and the SP-101 is one of my favorite small wheelguns. I have shot many full house .357 Mag loads through it, and don't see any big deal.
Also a very tough gun![;)]0 -
Wife and I settled on a S&W 640 for her first carry gun...it was a very efficient purchase - she won't part with it, and many who have shot are surprised by how they do with it. Many have offered to buy it from her, but she says "heck no". Efficient, because she will not let me buy her another gun - she is really happy with the S&W.
"LIFETIME WARRANTY".0 -
All the tips are good ones. I like my Taurus 651SS I just picked up. It feels good in my hand and the weight of the gun makes it easy to shoot. I shot an ultralite in 357. Not something I plan to do again. I would guess that many females would be startled by the recoil. 0 -
Heck just splurge and guy her one of these. S&W Performance Center Model 66 3". Has a Large ported hole on top at end of barrel. Still noisy. No Key lock an older model. Here is one on GB now.. Excellent price. Another newer one is advertised with stupid key lock for $1300. This one is a buy and only 1 of 300 made. Same gun as mine.
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=822937570 -
1st scrap the gun Idea and next buy her and the neighbors more secure thrash cans!!! Pissing off a bear just ain't a good way to start your freaking day!! 0 -
what does it matter that its a girl?
eh anyway... I agree with the Mod 66... I like mine0 -
quote:Originally posted by CapnMidnight
Henry hit the nail on the head, there is little or nothing to be gained by using a 357 over a 38 special in a 2" carry gun. If you don't reload, Speer makes a good round for 2" 38s, the recoil is lighter, thus less intimadating. A J frame Smith, or a 85 Taurus depending on how much she wants to spend would be my choice.
For what it's worth.
W.D.
This is repeated again and again, and its not quite true:
http://www.hipowersandhandguns.com/38vs357snub.htm
The question isn't whether or not the .357 is more powerful in a snubnose (there is absolutely no question that it is), the question is whether or not its worth the extra cost, noise, recoil and blinding muzzle flash for approximately 50% more muzzle energy from the .357.
My answer is, if you think you may need to get off a shot at a dangerous (non-human) predator like a bear, you want that extra power of .357.
To answer the other part of the question, IMO barrel length is easy.
If she is going to carry it OPENLY, go for a 6" barrel.
Easier to hit with, more muzzle velocity, and more intimidating looking (don't discount the visual deterrent effect).
If she is going to carry it CONCEALED, 2" barrel is probably the best way to go, since its most concealable.
EDIT: Oh, you specified a minimum of 3". Well, same thing applies. If its for concealed carry the 3" will be more concealable and comfortable. For open carry, assuming she can handle the gun, why not go for the 6" barrel? If that's too "much" (ie she doesn't want to look like Dirty Harry), 4" barrel is fine too.
Which gun?
Smith 66 (ie period ;-).
686 would work too, but its a bit more bulky.
Ruger GP100 is OK, but Smith has a nicer action.0 -
It doesn't matter that she s female except for hand size and height and body build none of which I gave so doesn't matter but at the same time if it was a guy I would have said guy's first gun 0
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